McCullum, Williamson defy India attack

Black Caps reach 92-1 in their second innings at lunch on fourth day

By

AFP

PublishedSunday, August 26, 2012

India's Ravichandran Ashwin (second right) celebrates with his teammates after taking the wicket of New Zealand's captain Ross Taylor during the fourth day of their first Test in Hyderabad on Sunday. (REUTERS)

Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson kept India's spinners at bay as New Zealand reached 92-1 in their second innings at lunch on the penultimate day of the opening Test in Hyderabad on Sunday.

The tourists, following on after conceding a 279-run lead, added 51 runs off 25 overs to their overnight total of 41-1 after play started two hours late because of rain.

McCullum was unbeaten on 39 at the break and Williamson 31 not out, the pair having so far put on 66 runs for the unfinished second-wicket stand. New Zealand now trail by 187 runs.

India started the day with spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha but failed to get a wicket as McCullum and Williamson applied themselves well in the morning session.

McCullum, an attacking batsman, curbed his strokes and offered no chance during his unbeaten 124-ball knock which contained just three fours.

The 22-year-old Williamson, who cracked a century on his Test debut against India in 2010, has so far hit two boundaries in his 96-ball innings.

Fast bowler Zaheer Khan bowled just four overs in the morning and Umesh Yadav one.

India dismissed New Zealand for 159 in the tourists' first innings on Saturday after posting 438, with off-spinner Ashwin finishing with a career-best 6-31 and left-arm spinner Ojha taking 3-44.